Give back, feel good
A small act can leave a lasting impact. We want your experience in the North York Moors to be memorable and meaningful. Whether you can spare 2 minutes for a quick litter pick, support a local business, learn about one of our nature recovery projects or donate to a good cause.
Giving back, choosing to act and making good decisions positively impacts on this place, its wildlife and contributes to the local community. Undoubtedly making you feel good about it too. By doing just one of these things, you have chosen to care and we really appreciate that!
Two-minute litter pick
Sadly, rubbish is still found throughout the National Park. A simple way that’s already making a difference is to take two minutes out of your day to do a quick clean up and leave it better than when you found it!
Look out for our #2MinuteLitterPick boards at Danby Lodge and Sutton Bank National Park Centres, plus Goathland, Newton under Roseberry and Thornton le Dale car parks. Tag us and The 2 Minute Foundation on social media. Dalby Forest have their own board at the Visitor Centre entrance too.
You can do your bit to help keep our beaches plastic-free too. Whitby, Sandsend, Runswick Bay and Staithes have #2MinuteBeachClean boards. There’s similar equipment at YHA Boggle Hole and at The Galley in Robin Hood’s Bay.
Or join Whitby Beach Sweep for one of their regular organised beach cleans up and down the coast.
Support local
By choosing to purchase from a farmer or eating at a family-owned restaurant, staying at sustainable accommodation or choosing a Champion, you're making an independent business owner very happy.
- Taste of the North York Moors highlights the very best food and drink in the area. From places to dine out, food and drink producers and local farmers' markets.
- The North York Moors' Champions support the National Park and commit to being the best they can. Businesses include accommodation providers, activity and tour guides, food and drink producers and attractions.
Make a Difference
The National Park's first payback scheme - Make a Difference - enables you to contribute to our vital conservation and education work. You can choose to donate to one of three projects aimed at creating accessible footpaths, restoring precious habitats and educating young people. Please consider donating, big or small.
Nature recovery
Check out our Nature Recovery Hub dedicated to creating a more resilient landscape and supporting our conservation aims. We've included some top tips and could do with your eyes and ears to record wildlife you see in the National Park.
Learn about our community engagement project REConnect based around the River Esk and its coastal streams. Running for five years, there's going to be lots of opportunities to get involved in activities and events.
GrubsUp! in the North York Moors aims to restore, enhance and connect habitat for invertebrates. The project has a community focus, bringing together people and nature. If you're living in the project area, find out how you can get involved.
Join a citizen science project
We can all get involved in helping scientists and conservationists protect our environment.
| Project title | When | Where | Time commitment | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look Wild | All year round | Anywhere in the UK | Report as you find | National Parks UK website |
| Garden butterfly survey | All year round | Any garden or allotment | Submit sightings at least once a month | Butterfly conservation website |
| Plot that plastic | All year round | Anywhere in the UK | Report as you find | Forest Plastics Working Group website |
| Big seaweed search | All year round | UK Coastline | About one hour | NHM website |
| Big garden birdwatch | January | UK gardens or a local green space | One hour | RSPB website |
| Waxcap watch | Sept to late Nov | Grassy areas (open to the public) | Report as you find | Plantlife website |
Ditch the car
We get it! It's not always possible to arrive by public transport, but how about when you're here? Take away the stress of driving and jump on public transport. Check out Komoot's suggestions to explore the North York Moors by foot whilst using the Esk Valley Railway.
Get to know a place better and travel slowly. Walk or cycle to see the sights. Stay at cycling friendly or walking friendly accommodation to get the very best service and recommendations.
Share with Care
Please respect this special place, the nature and people that live here. Take a look at our practical tips.
There are people and places within the National Park that would gratefully receive your support and ask that you visit with care and consideration.
- The North Yorkshire Moors Railway are asking for your help to restore bridge 42. The Grade II listed structure needs urgent repairs to keep trains running safely into the future.
- Each year our expert band of dedicated volunteers run a programme of free guided walks that help you discover some of the best bits of the National Park, as well as learn more about the wildlife and heritage of the area. Simply make a donation when you book onto one of these walks, knowing that the contribution will go towards the care of the National Park. Our programme runs from March through to November. Walk this way.
- The Friends of Dalby Forest and North Yorkshire Turtle Dove project are creating small drinking pools in Dalby Forest, vital for breeding Turtle Doves. Can you support their work?
- Get involved in practical conservation at Bow Bridge Community Meadows. They host a volunteer morning the first Saturday of every month. Updates posted via Community Earth Project.
- Together with the Yorkshire Seal Group and National Trust, we're working hard to reduce seal disturbance on our coast. If you come across seals on your travels, please make sure you watch them responsibly.
- As an International Dark Sky Reserve, it's really important we protect our dark skies for future generations to enjoy. As individuals we have a responsibility too. See our dark skies friendly lighting advice and help to reduce light pollution.